Apparatus for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are three embodiments of a hand-held apparatus for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels. All the embodiments are disclosed as having a housing, a rigid, metal, frame plate mounted by the housing, a platen and a cooperating print head, a delaminator for delaminating printed labels from the web of supporting material on which the labels are carried, an applicator for applying the printed labels, a feed wheel having teeth for engaging and advancing the web, a manually operable actuator drivingly connected to the feed wheel and the print head, a brake, and an ink roll for inking the print head. The apparatus also includes a feed wheel assembly having a feed wheel driven by a pawl and ratchet mechanism. The pawl and ratchet mechanism is adjustably connected to the feed wheel and a rolling contact type one-way clutch prevents loss of tension in the web between the brake and the feed wheel. In two of the embodiments the brake takes the form of a roll operated by the print head and in another embodiment the brake is operated by the printing head through an overcenter mechanism. The print head has a pair of ball tracks and the frame of the apparatus mounts a pair of ball tracks containing respective ball bearings. The feed wheel is driven by gear means having an eccentric adjustment. The web is guided through the apparatus by track structure which is readily assembled and removable. A delaminator of one embodiment includes a plurality of small diameter rollers mounted on a shaft. An inking mechanism includes an ink roll having hub sections, with an ink-tight seal between the hub sections. The frame plate is accurately located and reliably held to a housing section. A removable housing section is snap-locked into place relative to at least one other housing section. The labels which are carried on the web are mounted on an easy to manufacture, low cost reel. A rewinder is provided to rewind the spent portion of the supporting material web. An improved composite label web is also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a division of copending application Ser. No.476,744, filed June 5, 1974, abandoned, which is a continuation-in-partof patent application Ser. No. 380,445 filed July 18, 1973, nowabandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser.No. 312,454 filed Dec. 6, 1972, U.S. Pat. No. 3,968,745, which is acontinuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No. 208,035 filed Dec.8, 1971, now abandoned.

Certain subject matter disclosed in the present application is disclosedand/or claimed in the following applications and patents which are ownedby the same assignee as the assignee of the present application: Ser.No. 205,854, filed Dec. 8, 1971, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,798,106; Ser. No.206,061, filed Dec. 8, 1971, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,783,803; Ser. No.312,455, filed Dec. 6, 1972; now abandoned; Ser. Nos. 366,918, now U.S.Pat. No. 3,852,139, 366,919, now abandoned and 366,826, now U.S. Pat.No. 3,852,140, filed June 4, 1973; and Ser. Nos. 449,111, 449,127, nowU.S. Pat. No. 3,878,783, and 449,157, now abandoned, filed Mar. 7, 1974.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the art of label printing and applyingapparatus and composite label webs.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art

The following U.S. patents are made of record: Nos. 2,909,301;3,213,785; 3,261,288; 3,265,553; 3,296,962; 3,343;485; 3,369,952;3,420,172; 3,440,123; 3,526,189; 3,551,251; 3,611,929; 3,619,324;3,656,430; 3,705,833; 3,724,369 and 3,800,701.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to apparatus of the type for printing andapplying pressure sensitive labels carried on a web of supportingmaterial. It is a feature of the invention to provide a compactarrangement of parts. Such an arrangement of parts is especiallydesirable in a hand-held type of apparatus. The invention in onespecific embodiment is more specifically directed to the mechanism fordriving the print head into and out of printing cooperation with theplaten and for driving the web advancing means. In this specificembodiment, the web advancing means comprises a feed wheel engageablewith the web for advancing the web and effecting label delimination atthe deliminator, and the apparatus further comprises a manually operableactuator, a first gear carried by the actuator, a second gear in meshingengagement with the first gear, a pawl and ratchet drive connectioncoupling the second gear and the feed wheel, a lever carried by thesecond gear, a pin-type drive connection between the lever and the printhead, whereby when the actuator is operated the first gear drives thesecond gear and the lever to drive the print head into printingcooperation with the platen, a return spring for returning the actuator,gears, and lever to their initial positions and for driving the feedwheel through the drive connection, an ink roller carried by an arm anddriven by the print head as it moves toward and away from the platen,and a spring connected at one end to the print head and at its other endto the arm, with the feed wheel, the print head, the gears and leverbeing mounted by a single, rigid, metal, frame plate.

Another disclosed embodiment differs from the specific embodimentdescribed above in that an elongated lever driven by the actuator isconnected to the print head by a pin-type connection, the lever beingmounted on a pivot; a ratchet wheel is disposed coaxially with thepivot, the ratchet wheel is drivingly connected to the feed wheel, apawl is carried by the lever and is cooperable with the ratchet wheel,so that operation of the actuator causes the lever to drive the printhead into cooperation with the platen, and a return spring for returningthe actuator, the lever and the print head to their initial positionsand for causing the pawl to drive the ratchet wheel and in turn the feedwheel.

Although various arrangements have been devised for preventing loss oftension in the supporting material web it has been found that the leastloss of tension exists when a rolling contact type one-way clutch isused to lock the feed wheel against rotation in the direction oppositeto the direction of feed. It is preferred that the one-way clutch bemounted on a support secured to the frame plate. The support has acircular cylindrical outer surface in cooperating relationship with theclutch. The clutch also serves to mount the feed wheel and the ratchetwheel in a compact arrangement. The support has an elongated bore forrotatably mounting a drive shaft. The drive shaft is secured at one endto a drive gear and at its other end to a pawl which cooperates with theratchet wheel. The drive gear is also drivingly coupled to a gearsection formed integrally with the print head. The ratchet wheel isselectively positionable with respect to the feed wheel. The feed wheelhas a generally annular portion provided with a plurality of grooves andridges and the ratchet wheel has a generally annular portion providedwith grooves and ridges. When the ratchet wheel is positioned in thedesired position relative to the feed wheel, the ratchet wheel is movedtoward the feed wheel such that the grooves and ridges of the ratchetwheel are received in keying relationship relative to the respectivegrooves and ridges of the feed wheel. This arrangement enables thelabels on the web to be registered relative to the printing zone betweenthe print head and the platen and relative to the delaminator. The feedwheel includes a central hole having internal projections. At least theprojections and preferably the entire feed wheel are composed ofinjection molded plastics material. The clutch has an outside diametergreater than the inside diameter of the hole defined by the projectionsso that when the clutch is press-fitted into the hole the projectionsyield to hold the feed wheel and the clutch securely in assembledrelationship.

The apparatus includes a noval brake for exerting a braking force on thecomposite web between the place where the composite web is paid out ofthe supply roll and the delaminator. The brake is operated by the printhead through a pair of spaced-apart abutments which in turn operate abrake member. One of the abutments is effective to move the brake memberto the effective braking position and the other of the abutments iseffective to move the brake member to the ineffective position, uponmovement of the print head. The brake is effective throughout theoperating cycle and at the end of the operating cycle except during thetime when the feed wheel is driving the supporting material web. It ispreferred to have the abutment carried by the print head although areversal of parts, namely, a single abutment carried by the print headand a member having spaced-apart abutments operated thereby, can also beused. Although the movements of the brake member are initiated by theprint head, the overcenter mechanism holds the brake member in eitherthe effective or the ineffective position into which the brake memberwas moved. It is preferred to provide the brake member and another brakemember between which the composite web passes with flexible resilientbrake shoes, and to position the brake members so as to make the brakeself-energizing.

The print head has a pair of ball tracks. A cooperating pair of balltracks is adjustably mounted on the frame plate. Ball bearings arereceived between cooperating ball tracks. The frame-mounted ball tracksare secured to the frame plate after the frame-mounted ball tracks havebeen precisely aligned relative to the platen. This results in the printhead cooperating perpendicularly with the platen to effect uniformprinting cooperating between the print head and the platen and toprovide a rolling fit between the ball bearings and the associated balltracks.

It is another feature of the invention to provide label printing andapplying apparatus having track structure including a plurality of tracksections. The track sections are constructed of injection moldedplastics material and then interlocked to each other and to the frameplate for ease of assembly of the apparatus.

The invention includes an improved delaminator for delaminating thelabels from the web of supporting material. The delaminator includes ashaft and a roll comprised of a plurality of individually rotatablerollers mounted on the shaft for contacting the underside of thesupporting material web. The provision of a plurality of individuallyrotatable rollers enables the rollers to rotate freely notwithstandingthe fact that the internal and external diameters of the rollers arevery small. It is preferred to have a delaminator which is snap-fittedonto the platen.

It is another feature of the invention to provide an inking mechanismincluding an ink roll having a hub with hub sections composed offlexible resilient plastic material. The hub sections have axiallyaligned bores. One hub section has a projection and the other hubsection has a socket into which the projection extends. A porousink-receptive roll is received on the hub and a shaft is received by thehub for mounting the hub. There are means formed in part by the socketand in part by the projection for providing an ink-tight seal againstseepage of ink into the hub bore and onto the shaft. There are meansformed partly on one hub section and partly on the shaft for releasablyholding the hub on the shaft. Means are also provided for preventing theink roll from being installed on the shaft in the wrong direction, withthe holding means out of engagement.

To promote the precise positioning and reliable attachment of the frameplate to the housing, locating elements are used for precisely locatingthe frame plate relative to the housing, and fastening elements separateand distinct from the locating elements are used to attach the frameplate securely to the housing. The fastening elements reliably hold theframe plate to the housing notwithstanding age or continued use of theapparatus.

It is another feature of the invention to provide a low cost, easy tomanufacture reel for mounting the composite web. The reel includes adisc and a separate hub rotatably mounted on a shaft secured to theframe plate. The hub includes a hub portion and outwardly extendingspring fingers integrally connected with the hub portion. The disc andthe hub portion are keyed together by means formed partly by the discand means formed partly by the hub portion. The spring fingers yieldreadily when a supply roll is loaded onto the hub and when a core of aspent label roll is removed from the hub. The face of the disc contactedby the supply roll defines an edge of the path of movement of thesupporting material web through the apparatus.

It is a feature of the invention to provide a hand-held label printingand applying apparatus incorporating a rewinder for rewinding thesupporting material web from which labels have been removed during useof the apparatus. Both specific embodiments comprise a rewind bodyremovably connected to the remainder of the apparatus. The body has acompartment into which the supporting material web passes through aninlet slot. A knife is located at the outlet end of the inlet slot toenable the web in the compartment to be severed from the remainder ofthe web. The compartment has a plurality of projections or ridges whichreduce the area of contact and hence friction between the web as the webis being wound into a roll in the compartment. Also it is preferred tolubricate the inside of the compartment to further reduce the friction.The compartment is so positioned relative to the inlet slot and theremainder of the apparatus that the web curls or winds up in thecompartment in the direction of the curl which the web has while in thesupply roll. In one of the embodiments, a rewind reel disposed in thecompartment is driven by the reel for the label supply roll. So that thespool turns in the proper direction, an idler is provided between thesupply reel and rewind reel.

It is another feature of the invention to provide an improved compositelabel web. As in the prior art composite label web disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 3,783,083, which is owned by the same assignee as the assigneeof the present application, there is provided a longitudinally extendingweb of supporting material, pressure sensitive adhesive releasablysecuring labels to a web of supporting material, and groups of slits orbar cuts in the web at spaced-apart intervals. According to the presentinvention, each group of bar cuts includes aligned, generallytransversely extending bar cuts spaced apart by a land and a generallylongitudinally extending bar cut extending to the land. The transversebar cuts provide drive faces so that as the longitudinal bar cutreceives a tooth of a driver, the tooth ruptures the supporting materialweb between one end of the longitudinal bar cut and the adjacent ends ofthe transverse bar cuts and drives the web by engaging the drive facesprovided by the transverse bar cuts. It is a feature of the invention toprovide a toothed feed wheel having surface characteristics which retardthe accumulation of adhesive, gum and the like and which maintains itsdiameter notwithstanding some adherence of adhesive or gum to itsperiphery.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of labelprinting and applying apparatus, together with a roll-type compositelabel web supply;

FIG. 2 is a partly broken-away top plan view of the composite label web;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG.1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 3showing track structure for mounting a print head of the apparatus;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of a feed wheel forthe apparatus;

FIG. 5A is a view similar to FIG. 5 but on a larger scale and showing acured adherent coating;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of the feed wheel shownin FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view of an alternativeembodiment of the apparatus;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of labelprinting and applying apparatus together with an improved roll-typecomposite label web supply;

FIG. 9 is a partly broken away top plan view of the composite label web;

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the apparatus with one handlesection and a removable housing section being removed for clarity;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary elevational view of the other side of theapparatus shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a view taken generally along line 12--12 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary elevational view of another handle section,showing means for locking the eccentric support in position;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary end elevational view of a manually operableactuator and one end portion of the eccentric support;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary elevational view showing the other side of theactuator from that shown in FIG. 14 and the other end portion of thesupport;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary elevational view of the one handle section;

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of a drive gear, a feed wheel,rolling-contact type one-way anti-backup clutch, a ratchet wheelselectively positionable with respect to the feed wheel, a clamp, and adrive pawl;

FIG. 18 is a partly assembled view of the components shown in FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary perspective view showing how the clutch issecured in the feed wheel and clutched with an annular support;

FIG. 20 is a view similar to view 19 but showing the clutch unclutchedas when the feed wheel is rotated in the direction of the arrow;

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary elevational view showing the side of theapparatus shown in FIG. 11 with certain parts omitted for clarity, theoperative components being shown in FIG. 21 in a position whichfacilitates loading of the apparatus;

FIG. 22 is a view similar to FIG. 21 with the operative components beingshown in a position caused by a first actuation of the actuatorfollowing loading;

FIG. 23 is a view similar to FIGS. 21 and 22, showing many of theoperative components thereof, the brake mechanism being in its effectivebraking position caused by return of the print head;

FIG. 24 is a fragmentary perspective exploded view of the lockingmechanism for the removable housing section;

FIG. 25 is a partly sectional view of the locking mechanism in itsassembled condition;

FIG. 26 is a fragmentary perspective exploded view of a resilient deviceand mounting structure therefor;

FIG. 27 is a fragmentary perspective exploded view showing a delaminatorand a portion of the platen;

FIG. 28 is a sectional view showing in detail an ink roll of the inkingmechanism;

FIG. 29 is a sectional view taken along line 29--29 of FIG. 28;

FIG. 30 is a left end elevational view of the ink roll shown in FIG. 28;

FIG. 31 is a sectional view showing fragmentary portions of one housingsection and the frame plate and the means for holding the same together;

FIG. 32 is a sectional view of the reel;

FIG. 33 is an elevational view showing a fragmentary portion of theapparatus to which a rewinder is connected;

FIG. 34 is a side elevational view of an alternate form of rewinder;

FIG. 35 is a sectional view taken along line 34--34 of FIG. 34; and

FIG. 36 is an enlarged sectional fragmentary view of the feed wheelshowing lands and intervening gaps.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 3 through 6 and the embodiment of FIG. 7are adapted to utilize a composite label web 30 illustrated in detail inFIG. 2. The composite web 30 of label material 31 is releasably adheredto and carried by supporting or backing material 32. The label material31 is cut transversely by transverse cuts 33 extending all the wayacross the web 31 of label material to the side edges 34 and 35 of thecomposite web 30. The cuts 33 known as "butt cuts" separate the web 31of label material into a series of end-to-end labels 36. The undersideof the web 31 of label material has a coating of pressure sensitiveadhesive 37 which adheres strongly to the web 31 of label material. Theweb 32 of supporting material carries a thin film or coating (not shown)which allows the labels to be peeled from the web 32 of supportingmaterial.

Groups 38 of cuts are provided at equally spaced-apart intervals alongthe length of the composite web 30. Each group 38 of cuts is shown toextend through the supporting material as well as the label material.Each group of cuts is shown to be made in a generally I-shapedconfiguration comprised of cuts 39S, 40S and 41S in the supportingmaterial and aligned cuts 39L, 40L and 41L in the label material. Thepart of the web 32 between the one end of the cut 39S and the cut 40Sprovides a frangible portion 43S and the part of the web 32 between theother end of the cut 39S and the cut 41S provides frangible portion 42S.In like manner, the part of the label material between the end of thecup 39L and the cut 40L provides a frangible portion 43L and the partbetween the other end of the cut 39L and the cut 41L provides afrangible portion 42L.

With reference to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 3 through 6, there isshown label printing and applying apparatus generally indicated at 50.The apparatus 50 has a frame generally indicated at 51 which is shown toinclude frame sections 52 and 54 to which a cover section 53 isremovably connected. A subframe 55 in the form of a single, rigid, metalplate is suitable secured to the frame section 52 as for example byscrews 56. The screws 56 pass through respective holes 57 in thesubframe 55, and are threadably received in respective bosses 58 in theframe section 52. The frame 51 has a handle generally indicated at 59comprised in part of handle portion 60 of the frame section 52 and inpart by the frame section 54. The sections 53 and 54 are connected tothe frame section 52 by snap-fit connections including generallysnap-fitted flexible resilient members 61 engageable in undercutrecesses 62 in the housing section 52.

The subframe 55 mounts a print head generally indicated at 63, a feedwheel 64, a ratchet wheel 65 (FIG. 3) formed integrally with the feedwheel 64, a gear or gear segment 66 formed integrally with a lever 67,an applicator 68 in the form of a roll, a platen 69 and an integralguide 69', a delmainator 70 provided by an edge of the platen 69,rollers 71 and 72, a post or stud 73, a post or stud 74, a post or stud75, and a stripper plate 76 and an integrally formed guide 77. Thehandle portion 60 and the frame section 54 mount a pivot 78 inrespective bosses 79 and 80. The pivot 78 pivotally mounts an actuator81 shown to be in the form of a lever. When the user grips the handle59, the actuator 81 can be engaged by the user's fingers, while thethumb passes around the frame section 54 (assuming the user grips thehandle 59 with the right hand). The actuator 81 carries a gear or gearsegment 82 which meshes with the gear 66. A spring assembly 82',including a compression spring 83, bears against the handle portion 60and the actuator 81 and urges the actuator 81 counterclockwise (FIGS. 1and 3). The spring assembly 82' is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 45through 48 in above-mentioned Ser. No. 312,454. Accordingly, theactuator 81 and the gear 82 are initially in the position shown by solidlines in FIG. 3, but upon operation are moved to the position indicatedby phantom lines 81'. The feed wheel 64, the ratchet wheel 65, and thegear 66 are coaxially mounted on the post 74. The gear 66 carries a pawl83 which is cooperable with the ratchet wheel 65. As the actuator 81moves from the solid line position to the phantom line position in FIG.3, the gear 66 rotates counterclockwise until the pawl 83 passes over atooth 84 of the ratchet wheel 65, and when the actuator 81 is releasedthe spring assembly 82' drives the gear 66 clockwise and causes the pawl83 to drive the feed wheel 64 clockwise. Clockwise rotation of theratchet wheel 65 and hence the feed wheel 64 is prevented by a flexibleresilient pawl 84' which cooperates with the ratchet wheel 65.

The lever 67 lies in a plane which is offset from the plate of the gear66. As best shown in FIG. 1, a lateral portion 85 integrally connectsthe gear 66 and the lever 67. The lateral portion 85 passes through anarcuate slot 86' in the subframe 55. The lever 67 is connected to theprint head 63 by a pin-type connection generally indicated at 86. Thepin-type connection 86 is a pin-and-slot connection and is shown tocomprise an elongated slot 87 in the lever 67 and a pin 88 having aroller 89 received in the slot 87. A washer 90 and a clip 91 hold theroller 89 on the pin 88. The pin 88 is secured to the print head 63. Asbest shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the print head 63 is provided with a pairof elongated parallel ball tracks 92 and 93. The subframe 55 mounts apair of ball tracks 94 and 95. Ball bearing strips 96 and 97 arereceived in respective ball tracks 92 and 94, and 93 and 95. Such ballbearing strips are shown in greater detail in FIGS. 12 and 24 ofabove-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,698,745. The ball tracks 92 through 95are considered to comprise track structure for mounting the print head63 for reciprocating movement toward and away from the platen 69. Theball track 95 is mounted to move relative to the ball track 93.Compression springs 95' urge the ball track 95 toward the ball track 93and compensate for clearance between the ball tracks 93 and 95.

The apparatus 50 provides what is known as a two-line machine, havingtwo lines L1 and L2 of selectively settable printing bands 98 and 99.The bands 98 of line L1 are selectively settable by manual operation ofa knob 100 and the bands 99 of line L2 are selectively settable bymanual operation of a knob 101. The knobs 100 and 101 project through anopening 53' in the cover section 53.

A die roll 64a, having a groove 64b through which the teeth 64' of thefeed wheel 64 can pass, is rotatably mounted on an arm 64c. The arm 64cis mounted on the post 73. The arm 64c has an integral lateral tab 64gwhich extends through a slot 64f in the subframe 55. A tension spring64d is connected to a post 64e secured to the subframe 55 and to the tab64g. The spring 64d urges the die roll 64a against the feed wheel 64.When the feed wheel 64 rotates, the teeth 64a of the feed wheel 64cooperate with the die roll 64a to break the frangible portions 42S and43S in the supporting material web 32, thus making feed holes in thesupporting material web 32.

An inking mechanism 102 includes an arm 103 pivotally mounted on a pivot104 secured to the subframe 55. A retainer 105 keeps the arm 103 on thepivot 104. The arm 103 carries a small diameter laterally extending pin106 which mounts an ink roll 107. The pin 106 extends through an arcuateslot 108 in the subframe 55. A tension spring 109 acts at its one end ona lateral tab 110 carried by the arm 103 and at its other end on a pin111 secured to the print head 63. The locations of the tab 110 and thepin 111 are selected so that there is substantially no extension ordistention of the spring 109 as the print head 63 moves during theprinting stroke between the solid line position and the phantom line(printing) position shown by phantom lines 63'. Likewise on the returnstroke there is no substantial extension or distention of the spring 109as the print head 63 moves between these positions. The location of thepivot 104 causes the ink roll 107 to be pushed from its solid lineposition to the phantom line position indicated by phantom lines 107'during the printing stroke from which the ink roll 107 is returned tothe solid line position during the return stroke of the print head 63.In addition, the force of the spring 109 causes the ball track 92 to beurged toward the ball track 94, thereby compensating for clearance.

The composite label web in roll form can have a circular cylindricalcore 112 composed of paperboard or other suitable material. A hub 113composed of plastic or other suitable materials has three flexibleresilient sections 114 onto which the core can be snap-fitted and fromwhich the core 112 of a spent roll can be readily removed. The hub 113is rotatably mounted on the post 75 and is retained by a clip 113'.

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the periphery of the feed wheel 64 isshown to have evenly spaced apart generally V-shaped lateral grooves115. These grooves 115 greatly reduce the area of contact that thesupporting material web 32 makes with the feed wheel 64. This greatlyminimizes any tendency for gum which may be on the supporting materialweb 32 to be transferred to the feed wheel 64. Gum on the feed wheel 64can cause problems in feeding the composite web 30. Lands 116 at theperiphery of the feed wheel 64 are about one-fifth as long as the pitchdistance d, and thus the grooves 115 reduce the area of contact byeighty percent over a feed wheel with a continuous, uninterruptedperiphery.

In loading the apparatus 50, the cover section 53 is unsnapped andremoved, and the composite label web supply roll is snapped onto the hub113. The die roll 64a and its arm 64b are moved to the over-centerposition. With the actuator 81 moved partly toward the phantom lineposition (FIG. 3), the free end of the composite web 30 is passedbetween a brake roll 117 and a plate 118 secured to the subframe 55. Thefree end of the composite web 32 is passed under and partly aroundroller 71, over the platen 69, around the delaminator 70, under theplaten 69, under and partly around the roller 71, partly around theroller 72, over and partly around the feed wheel 64, over the stripperplate 76, and over the guide 77. Now the actuator 81 can be released,whereupon the brake roll 117 is contacted by the end of the print head63, causing the brake roll 117 to press the web 30 against the plate 118to prevent paying out of the web 30 during application of a label 36.The die roll 63 and its arm 64 can now be moved to the position shown inFIG. 3, and the cover section 53 can be snapped into place.

When it is desired to print and apply a label 36, the printing andfeeding cycle is commenced when the actuator 81 is squeezed, and thiscauses the gear 82 to drive the gear 66 and hence the lever 67. Pivotingof the lever 67 causes the print head 63 to be driven into printingcooperation with the platen 69 to print data on a label 36. When theactuator 81 is released, the pawl 83 drives the feed wheel 64 to feedthe label 36 that was just printed into label applying position relativeto the applicator 68, in this position the trailing edge of the label 36is still adhered to the supporting material web 32. Also the nextsuccessive label 36 is properly positioned on the platen 69 for printingduring the next printing cycle.

In the embodiment of FIG. 7 the same reference characters are applied tofunctionally similar parts as those disclosed in the embodiment of FIGS.1 and 3 through 6. Referring to FIG. 7, the actuator 81 carries a pivot130. A link 131 is pivotally connected to the pivot 130. A pivot 132carried by the link 131 pivotally connects the link 131 and a lever 133.The lever 133 is pivotally mounted by the post 74. The lever 133 carriesa pawl 134 which performs the same function as the pawl 83 (FIG. 3). Thepin-type connection 86 is provided by a pivot 135 secured to the printhead 63 which extends through a circular hole 136 in the lever 133.Instead of being provided with the track structure of the embodiment ofFIGS. 1 and 3 through 6, subframe 55 in the embodiment of FIG. 7 hastrack structure provided by an elongated slot 137. The print head 63carries a pin 138 which mounts a roller 139. The roller 139 is receivedin the slot 137. In that the pin 135 follows a slight arc as the lever133 moves, the right end of the print head 63 also travels in a slightarc. The left end of the print head 63 has movement which is essentiallyreciprocating in that the roller 139 moves in a straight line. When theprint head 63 is in the printing position, the pivot 135 is in theposition indicated by phantom lines 135' and in this position the printhead 36 is perpendicular to the platen 69. When the actuator 81 isreleased the spring assembly 82' (FIG. 1) causes the actuator 81 topivot counterclockwise which drives the lever 133 clockwise to returnthe print head 63 to the position shown in FIG. 7, and at the same timethe pawl 134 drives the feed wheel 64 to advance the composite web 30 adistance equal to the length of one label 36. In the embodiment of FIG.7, the gear 82 has been eliminated from the actuator 81.

The apparatus of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 3 through 6, and 7, isconstructed mainly of molded plastic material. The subframe 55 ispreferably composed of steel. The actuator 81, the gear 66 and lever 67,the ratchet and feed wheels 65 and 64, a substantial portion of theprint head 63, sections 52, 53 and 54, the hub 113, and tracks 94 and 95are composed of a suitable molded plastic material. With reference toFIG. 7, link 131 and lever 133 are also composed of plastic material.

In practice it has been found that, in some instances, minor amounts ofgummy pressure-sensitive adhesive remains on the supporting web 32 afterthe labels have been separated. If this occurs, when the supporting webis contacted with the feed wheel 64 transfer of this gummy substance tothe feed wheel can be encountered, which during continued use of theapparatus, may interfere with efficient operation.

The feed wheel 64 has a web contacting surface 116 of both disclosedembodiments of the invention treated to provide a coating 116' havingnon-stick or release properties sufficient to substantially retard orprevent transfer of gum or pressure-sensitive adhesive, which may bepresent on the supporting web 32, to the feed wheel. Preferably the webcontacting surface of the feed wheel should readily release apressure-sensitive tape (e.g., 3M Transparent Tape 5910) after thepressure-sensitive tape has been applied to the feed wheel under 10p.s.i. pressure for 2-5 seconds.

A particularly preferred method of imparting enhanced release propertiesto the feed wheel, formed from a metal, or an organic polymeric plasticmaterial, such as polyacetal resins (e.g., Delrin), polycarbonate resins(e.g., Lexan), phenylene oxides (e.g., Noryl), nylons (e.g., Nylafil,Zytel, Nylatron), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resins (e.g.,Cycloac-ABS Resin), unsaturated polyester molding resins and the like,is to apply to the supporting web contacting surfaces of the feed wheelan adherent continuous coating of a resinous coating composition havinga lower surface energy than the substrate polymeric material from whichthe wheel is formed. The presently preferred coating compositionsinclude those based on a material such as moisture cured, one component,all silicone resins theretofore utilized in the art for forming aircraftand maintenance protective finishes, and solvent based paper curablecoating compositions based on silicone polymers heretofore described inthe art as useful in forming release paper for pressure-sensitiveadhesive compositions. Since the coating must have sufficient adhesionto the feed wheel so that it is not removed during use, it may bedesirable to etch or otherwise slightly roughen the surface to be coatedprior to applying and curing the coating.

This preferred method is distinguishable from the method in which thesurface of the feed wheel which contacts the web has means providingmaterial possessing release properties sufficient to retard theaccumulation of gum by incorporating a lubricant in the feed wheel whilethe feed wheel is molded, in accordance with above-mentioned Ser. No.366,919, and it is also distinguishable from the method in which aliquid lubricant is applied to the feed wheel for this purpose inaccordance with above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,986,745. While theseother methods are advantageous, the preferred method is more effectivefor longer periods of time.

With reference to the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 10 through 36, there isshown label printing and applying apparatus generally indicated at 150.The apparatus 150 has a frame generally indicated at 151 which is shownto comprise a frame or housing having housing sections 152, 153 and 154and a subframe comprising a single, rigid, metal frame plate 155. Thehousing is essentially closed. The frame 151 has a handle generallyindicated at 159 comprised in part of a handle portion 160 and in partof the frame section 154. The housing section 154 is secured to thehousing section 152 by screws 161 received in respective threaded holes162. The frame section 154 is positioned in front of a lip 163 of thesection 154 and projections 164 on the section 153 extend behind a wall165. The section 153 is connected to the section 152 by snap-fitconnections including generally snap-shaped flexible resilient members166 engageable in respective undercut recesses 167 in the section 152.The section 153 is also provided with locating studs 168 received inrespective recesses 169 of the section 152.

The frame plate 155 mounts a print head 170, a feed wheel 171, a gear orgear segment 172, an applicator 173 shown to be in the form of a roll, aplaten 174, a delaminator 175, a mounting pin 176 and a plurality ofrollers 177, mounting posts 178, 179, 180 and 181, and a support 236.

The frame plate 155 is provided with two spaced-apart precisely locatedrectangular holes 182 in which respective square mating locating pins orstuds 183 are received. The holes 182 extend at right angles to eachother and the two opposed side faces of each stud contacts thecorresponding long sides of the respective rectangular hole 182. Thepins 183 are cooperable with the respective holes 182 to locate theframe plate 155 previsely relative to the housing section 152. There arethree identical hold-down connections which secure the frame plate 155to the housing section 152, although only one is shown in detail in FIG.31. The frame plate 155 has three enlarged holes or cutouts 184. Thehousing section 152 has pins or studs 185 which extend through thecutouts 184. With reference to FIG. 31, a retainer in the form of a gripring 186 grips a stud 185. A compression spring 187 received about thestud 185 bears against the frame plate 155 and against the retainer 186.With age and continued use of the apparatus the stud 185 tends toelongate. The spring 187 insures that the plate 185 will always be heldsolidly against the housing section 152. In that the stud 185 isconsiderably smaller in diameter than the cutout 184, location of theframe plate 155 relative to the housing section 152 remains to beaccomplished by the pins 183 in respective recesses 182.

The frame plate 155 has a pair of elongated cutouts or open ended slots188 and a pair of oppositely facing elongated cutouts or open endedslots 189. The slots 188 and 189 communicate with larger respectivecutouts 190 and 191. Oppositely facing ball tracks 192 and 193 arereceived in respective cutouts 190 and 191. The print head 170 comprisesa print head frame 194 having a pair of oppositely facing ball tracks195 and 196. A ball bearing strip 197 is received in mating ball bearingtracks 192 and 195 and a ball bearing strip 198 is received in matingball bearing tracks 193 and 196. The ball tracks 192 and 193 are shownto be generally channel-shaped in construction. When the ball tracks 192and 193 are in the position as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the ball tracks192 and 193 are received by the frame plate 155. Threaded fasteners 199extend through the cutouts 188 and are threadably received in holes 199'in the ball track 192. Similarly, threaded fasteners 200 extend throughcutouts 189 and are threadably received in holes 200' in the ball track193. The print head 170 is capable of printing two lines of data in thatthe print head 170 has two lines of printing bands as shown in detail inFIG. 31 of above-mentioned patent application Ser. No. 312,454. It isimportant to printing quality that the print head 170 move relatively tothe platen 174 such that the characters on the printing bands 201contact the label 207 on the platen uniformly. If the print head 170 isimproperly aligned with the platen 174, some of the selected characterswill be printed and others will not be printed at all or will only befaintly printed. In that the cutouts 188 and 189 are larger than thediameters of fasteners 199 and 200 which extend therethrough, the balltracks 192 and 193 can be precisely positioned during manufacture of theapparatus so that the print head 170 is precisely aligned with theplaten 174 and so that clearance between the ball tracks and theirrespective ball bearing strip is held to a minimum. Print head frame 194and the ball tracks 195 and 196 which are molded integrally therewithand the ball tracks 192 and 193 are composed of plastics material. Theballs of the ball strips 197 and 198, are like those shown in FIGS. 12and 24 in above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,968,745, are comprised of ahard material such as steel. As shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 21through 23, the type characters or faces 202 extend parallel to theplaten 174. The print head 170 is caused to move in a straight linebecause all the ball tracks 192 through 195 are straight. Consequently,for quality printing the print head 170 should move perpendicularly withrespect to the platen 174. There is thus provided means whereby thetravel of the print head into printing cooperation with the labels ofthe composite web can be adjusted during manufacture or even subsequentthereto to insure precise alignment of the print head 170 with theplaten 174.

The apparatus 150 is shown to utilize a composite web 203. The compositeweb 203 of label material 204 is releasably adhered to supporting abacking material 205. The label material 204 is cut transversely by barcuts or slits 206 extending all the way across the web 204 of labelmaterial, thereby separating the label material 204 into a series ofend-to-end labels 207. The composite web 203 is wound onto a circularcylindrical core 208 composed of paperboard or other suitable material.The composite web roll is mounted on a reel generally indicated at 209.The reel 209 is comprised of a generally flat disc 210 having a centralhole 211. Disc 210 has a plurality of equally spaced-apart pins 212disposed at equal distances from the central hole 211. The disc 210, thehole 211 and the integral pins 212 are formed when the disc 210 ismolded in an injection molding machine. The reel 209 also includes a hubgenerally indicated at 213. The hub 213 has a central tubular hubportion 214 joined to an end wall 215. The pins 212 are received inmating holes 212' in the end wall, thereby keying the disc 210 and thehub 213 for rotation together as a unit. Spaced outwardly from the hubportion 214 and joined integrally to the end wall 215 are a plurality offlexible, resilient, cantilever mounted fingers 216. The fingers 216extend slightly outwardly and away from each other while the core 208 isdisposed thereon. The free ends of the fingers 216 have projections 217.Each of the projections 217 has a pair of sloping faces 218 and 219. Theface 218 facilitates loading of the label roll onto the hub 213, and theface 219 provides a ramp which prevents accidental shifting of the rolloff from the hub 213, but enables the spent core 208 to be readilyremoved by the user. When the supply roll is loaded onto the reel 209and when the spent core 208 is removed, the fingers 216 deflectinwardly. The post or shaft 181 extends through the hole 211 in the disc210 and through a bore 220 in the hub portion 214. A retainer 221received by the marginal end of the shaft 181 prevents the reel 209 fromshifting off the post or shaft 181 and prevents the hub 213 fromseparating from the disc 210 so that the pins 212 do not looseengagement with the holes 212'. The hub 213 is also injection molded.The disc 210 defines one edge of the feed path so that the composite web203 which is paid out of the roll starts in precise alignment with theplaten 174 and the feed wheel 171.

An actuator generally indicated at 222 is shown to take the form of apivotally operated lever mounted by support structure generallyindicated at 222s including a pivot pin 223 received in an eccentric 224in the form of a sleeve. The actuator 222 is urged in a counterclockwisedirection (FIGS. 8 and 10) by a spring assembly 225 shown in greaterdetail in FIGS. 45 through 48 and described in the accompanyingdescription of parent U.S. Pat. No. 3,968,745. Briefly stated, thespring assembly 225 includes a compression spring 226.

The actuator 222 carries a gear or gear section 227 having an opening228 provided by a missing tooth. The gear section 227 is in meshingengagement with the gear section 229 of the gear 172. The gear section229 has one large tooth 230 which meshes with the teeth adjacent thespace 228. In that the tooth 230 can only fit into the opening 228, theactuator 222 can only be assembled in the proper relative position withrespect to the gear 172. The gear 172 also has a gear section or segment231 in meshing engagement with the gear section or rack 232 formedintegrally with the print head frame 194. The gear section 231 has anopening 233 provided by a missing tooth and the gear section 232 has onelarge tooth 234 received in the opening 233 so that the print head 170can only be assembled in the proper relative position with respect tothe gear 172. Assuming the handle 159 is being held in the user's hand,the user's fingers can operate the actuator 222 to pivot the actuator222 clockwise (FIGS. 8 and 10) against the force of the spring 226 inthe spring device 225, thereby causing the gear 172 to rotatecounterclockwise to in turn drive the print head 170 into printingcooperation with a label 207 which is disposed in overlying relationshipon the platen 174. Release of the actuator 222 enables the spring 226 toreturn the actuator 222, the gear 172, and the print head 170 as well asother components to be described below, to their initial positions.Sections 152 and 154 have stops 151'.

A drive shaft 235 is molded integrally with the gear 172. A support 236in the form of a tube or tubular bearing is suitably secured in a hole237 in the frame plate 155 as best shown in FIG. 18. The feed wheel 171has a plurality of pairs of transversely spaced-apart teeth 171' whichengage the supporting material web 245, and is described below ingreater detail. The teeth 171' are shown exaggeratedly in FIG. 21 to beinclined in the forward direction so as to catch the feed edges in theweb 205. The feed wheel 171 is shown to include a rim 238 to which theteeth 171' are integrally joined. The rim 238 is comprised of annularperipheral web engageable sections or beads 238' and an interveningspace or gap provided by an annular section 238" having a reduced orlesser diameter than the sections 238'. As shown in FIG. 36, thesections 238' having lands 116a which are shown to comprise relativelysharp ridges so as to provide essentially line contact between the web205 and the lands 116a. Gaps in the form of grooves 115a between thelands 116a and the section 238" reduce the contact area to a very smallpercentage, less than fifty percent and as illustrated preferably lessthan ten percent of the peripheral area which would otherwise constitutethe surface area of the feed wheel 171. Some adhesive, gum or the likethat adheres to the feed wheel 171 will collect in the gaps 115a, butbecause of this, the external diameter of the feed wheel 171 as definedby the lands 116a will not increase; such an increase in diameter wouldbe detrimental in that it would increase the lengths of the web whichthe feed wheel 171 would feed upon each actuationg of actuator 222. Byway of example not limitation, the depth of the gaps 115a is about 0.025inch and each section 238' has one hundred nineteen lands 116a. Althoughthe lands 116a are characterized as being sharp they do not cut into theweb 205. Feeding is brought about through engagement of the teeth 171'with the web. The feed wheel being comprised at least at its peripheryof plastics material (which inherently has a low coefficient offriction). Additionally, the peripheral surface of the feed wheel 171 ispreferably coated with either a liquid or a permanent coating of amaterial that tends to retard the accumulation of adhesive, gum or thelike, or to incorporate a suitable lubricant along with the plasticsmaterial from which the feed wheel 171 is molded. An annular wall 239joins the rim 238 and a hub portion 240. The hub portion 240 has a boreportion 241 which merges into a larger bore portion 242. The boreportion 242 is provided with projections comprised of a great number ofgrooves and ridges or flutes 244 which extend in the axial direction. Arolling-contact type one-way clutch 243 is received in the bore portion242. The initial internal diameter of the bore portion 242 defined bythe crests of the projections, that is, ridges 244 is less than theouter diameter of the clutch 243. The clutch 243 is assembled into thefeed wheel 171 by forcing the clutch 243 into the bore portion 242 andthe ridges 244 yield slightly and frictionally hold the clutch 243 inthe position shown in FIG. 18. The clutch 243 has a plurality of rollers245 which contact the outer circular cylindrical surface 246 of thesupport 236. The one-way clutch 243 acts as a bearing and enables thefeed wheel 171 to rotate clockwise as viewed in FIGS. 8 and 17 butprevents counterclockwise movement. By way of example not limitation, aspecific embodiment of a clutch which is useful in the present inventionis made by The Torrington Company, Torrington, Conn. 06790 U.S.A. and isdescribed in their catalog RC-6, Copyright 1969, and is referred to as aroller clutch, catalog No. RC-081208.

A fragmentary portion of the clutch 243 is shown in FIGS. 19 and 20. Inthe position shown in FIG. 19, the clutch 243 is preventing the feedwheel 171 from rotating counterclockwise in that the rollers 245 are inwedging contact with respective inclined surfaces 247, whereas in FIG.20 the feed wheel 171 is shown to be rotating in the direction of arrowA and the rollers 245 are not binding between the surfaces 247 and thesurface 246. The clutch 243 is spring loaded in that springsdiagrammatically indicated at 248 urge the rollers 245 continuouslyagainst both the surfaces 246 and 247 so that any backlash of the clutch243 is negligible and is substantially less than in the event a pawlsuch as the pawl 248 of parent patent application Ser. No. 312,454 isused. The feed wheel 171 also includes webs 249 which join the rim 238,the wall 239, and the hub 240. The inner periphery of the rim 238 on oneside of the wall 239 has a plurality of grooves 250 and ridges 251 in anannular arrangement. The grooves 250 and ridges 251 extend in the axialdirection. A ratchet wheel generally indicated at 252 has a plurality ofratchet teeth 253. The teeth 253 are formed integrally with one side ofa wall 254. An annular wall or flange 255 shown to have a plurality ofequally spaced-apart openings 256 has a plurality of grooves 257 andridges 258. The grooves 250 and ridges 251 and the grooves 257 andridges 258 have the same pitch and are complementary with respect toeach other. The ratchet wheel 252 also has an annular hub 259 with aninternal bore 260. The support 236 is adapted to extend into the bore260 to a position in which the end of the hub 259 contacts one end ofthe clutch 243. In this position, the ridges 258 and grooves 257 of theratchet wheel 252 are received respectively in the complementaryrespective grooves 250 and ridges 251 of the feed wheel 171. By movingthe ratchet wheel out of its assembled position to the position shown inFIG. 18, the position of the ratchet wheel 252 relative to the feedwheel 171 can be selectively changed. Such a change will result in achange of registration of the label 207 at the printing zone between theprint head 170 and the platen 174 and in a change in position to whichthe web 205 and the leading label 207 are advanced relative to thedelaminator 175. The mechanism by which this is accomplished is similarin some respects and different in others from that disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 3,783,083.

The grooves 250 and ridges 251 cooperable with respective ridges 258 andgrooves 257 key the feed wheel 171 and the ratchet wheel 252 togetheragainst relative rotation. Also the feed wheel 171 and the ratchet wheel252 can rotate only in one direction due to the action of the clutch243.

Drive shaft 235 is rotatably mounted in a circular cylindrical bore 261in the support 236. The drive shaft 235 receives a split yieldable hub263 of pawl structure generally indicated at 264. The pawl structure 264includes a pawl 265 which is cooperable with the teeth 253 one-at-a-timeas seen for example, in FIG. 10. Like the gear 172, the feed wheel 171and the ratchet wheel 252, the pawl structure 264 is composed of moldedplastics material. The split hub 263 has an internal bore 266 with aflat 267 which is received against a flat 262 on the shaft 235. A clamp268 is received about the hub 263. The clamp 268 places the split hub263 under hoop compression so that the pawl structure 264 is securelyand reliably but removably mounted on the shaft 235. Because of thecooperable flats 262 and 267 and because the drive shaft 235 is formedintegrally with the gear 232, the pawl structure 264 and the gear 172rotate as a unit. When the operator 222 is pivoted clockwise, as viewedin FIGS. 8 and 10, the gear 172, as previously described, rotatescounterclockwise. Counterclockwise rotation of the gear 172 causes thepawl structure 264 to also rotate counterclockwise, thereby bringing thepawl 265 into driving relationship with the next successive tooth 253.Upon release of the actuator 222, the return spring 226 causes the gear172 and the pawl structure 264 to rotate clockwise. Accordingly, thedrive end 269 of the pawl 265 drives the ratchet wheel 252 and the feedwheel 171 in a clockwise direction, thereby causing advance of thecomposite web 203.

With reference to FIGS. 21 through 23 there is shown a brake mechanismgenerally indicated at 270. The brake mechanism 270 includes a brakemember 271 and an arm 272 integrally joined by a hub 273. The hub 273 ispivotally mounted on a stud 273' secured to the frame plate 155. Thebrake member 271 includes a flexible resilient brake shoe 274 forapplying a braking force against the composite web 203. A tension spring275 (FIGS. 8 and 11) is connected at one end to a turned-up tab 276 ofthe frame plate 155 and at its other end to a post 277 formed integrallywith the brake member 271. The post 277 extends through an arcuate slot278 in the frame plate 155 and the spring 275 connects the tab 276 andthe post 277 on the front side of the frame plate 155 as viewed in FIG.11. The tab 276 and the post 277 are so situated relative to the axis ofthe stud 273' that the spring 275 normally urges the brake member 271and the arm 272 into one of two overcenter positions. In FIG. 23, thespring 275 is exerting a spring force along centerline 279.

The print head 170 is shown to be provided with a pair of spaced-apartabutments 280 and 281. In the retracted position of the print head 170shown in FIG. 23, the arm 272 is against the abutment 280 and the brakeshoe 274 is in contact with the composite web 203 upstream of the platen174. Upon operation of the actuator 222, the print head 170 is drivenfrom the retracted position shown in FIG. 23 to the extended positionshown in FIG. 22, causing abutment 281 to contact and pivot the arm 272and to consequently pivot the brake member 271 to the positionillustrated in FIG. 22, and thus moving the brake shoe 274 out ofbraking cooperation with the composite web 203. In the position as shownin FIG. 22, the spring 275 exerts a force along centerline 282 which isnow on the other side of the axis of the stud 273'. The arm 272 and thebrake member 271 remain in the position shown in FIG. 22 until such timeas the print head moves far enough away from the platen 174 toward itsretracted position to enable the abutment 280 to contact the arm 272.When the abutment 280 contacts the arm 272, the arm 272 and the brakemember 271 are pivoted so that the spring force is again exerted alongcenterline 279, thereby causing the arm 272 and the brake member 271 toremain in the position shown in FIG. 23, until the next cycle, when theprint head 170 again moves toward the platen 174 and the arm 272 iscontacted by the abutment 281.

Due to the overcenter arrangement, the arm 272 and the brake member 271remain in the position shown in FIG. 22 until almost the very end of themovement of the print head 170 to is retracted position (FIG. 23).During the retracting movement of the print head 170, the pawl 265drives the ratchet wheel 252 and the feed wheel 171 to advance thecomposite web 203. The brake 270 is effective substantiallysimultaneously with the completion of feeding of the web 203.

With reference to FIG. 22 initially, the brake mechanism 270 is alsoshown to include a brake member 283 which has a brake shoe 284 composedof a flexible resilient material. During use of the apparatus, the brakemember 283 is stationary in the position shown in FIG. 22. However,during loading of the composite web 203, the brake member 283 can bemoved manually to its ineffective position shown in FIG. 21. The brakemember 283 is integrally joined by a hub 285 to a slotted arm 286. Thehub 285 is pivotally mounted on the post 178. The arm 286 has anelongated slot 287. A slide 288 has an elongated slot 289 which receivesthe post 178 and a pin 290 secured to the arm to provide a pin-and-slotconnection. The slide 288 has a finger-engageable projection 288' bywhich the slide 288 can be moved between the position shown in FIG. 22and the position shown in FIG. 21. As the slide 288 moves from theposition shown in FIG. 22 to the position shown in FIG. 21, the pin 290cooperates with the slot 287 to pivot the arm 286 and the brake member283 counterclockwise so that the brake member 283 is in its ineffectiveposition shown in FIG. 21. A shaft 291 extends through a bore 292 in theslide 288. Because of the position of the axis of the shaft 291 asviewed in FIG. 21, in which the arm 286 is counterclockwise of theposition shown in FIG. 22, the brake member 283 is in its ineffectiveposition. When the shaft 291 has moved to the position shown in FIGS. 22and 23, the arm 286 has moved clockwise and hence the brake member 283is in its effective position. With reference to FIG. 23, due to theinclination of the brake member 271 and the location of the brake shoe274 relative to the brake shoe 284 the brake 270 is self-energizing.Thus, when a label 207 is being applied, the tug that the label exertson the web 203 upstream of the delaminator 175 causes the brake 270 toexert an even greater braking force on the web 203.

The shaft 291 mounts a roll generally indicated at 293 comprised of aroll member 294 on one side of the slide 288 and a roll member 295 onthe other side of the slide 288. The shaft 291 also passes through anelongated arcuate slot 296 of an arm 297 which is pivotally connected toa pin 298 (FIGS. 8, 17 and 21) of the gear 172. A washer 299 (FIG. 8) isdisposed on the shaft 291 between the roll member 294 and the arm 297and a retractable guide 300 is disposed on the shaft 291 between theroll member 295 and a retainer 301 secured to the marginal end of theshaft 291. Guide section 312 has an integral pin 300' received in anelongated slot 300" in the guide 300. In the position shown in FIG. 10in which the guide 300 is shown in its retracted solid line position,the guide 300 is out of guiding relationship with respect to the sideedge of the composite web 203. In the position shown in phantom lines300PL in FIG. 10, the guide 300 is in its effective guiding position.

The shaft 291 is secured to an arm 302 (FIGS. 21 through 23) pivotallymounted on a stud 303 carried by the frame plate 155. A tension spring304 is connected at its one end to a tab 305 formed integrally with thearm 302 and at its other end to a pin 306 secured to the frame plate155. In the position shown in FIG. 22, the roll 293 is in cooperationwith the feed wheel 171 and the arm 302 is in its most clockwiseposition. In this position of the arm 302, the spring 304 exerts a forcealong centerline 307 on one side of axis 308 of the stud 303 tending tourge the arm 302 and the roll 293 which it carries into their mostclockwise positions best shown in FIG. 22. In FIG. 21, the arm 302 andthe roll 293 are in their most counterclockwise positions and the spring304 exerts a force along centerline 309 on the other side of the axis308 to hold the arm 302 and the roll 293 in the position shown.

With reference to FIG. 10, it is apparent that the user can shift theslide 288 into the position shown by exerting a force to the left on theprojection 288'. Not only are the roll 293, the guide 300, the arm 302which it carries, the associated arm 286, and the brake member 283 movedto the position shown in FIG. 10 and hence the roll 293, the guide 300,and the brake 270 are deactivated, but the spring 304 (FIG. 21) holdsthese components in that position for easy loading ot the apparatus 150.It is noted in FIG. 10, that the shaft 291 is at one end of the slot 296in the arm 297. Assuming the apparatus has been threaded with the labelsupply, upon the first actuation of the actuator 222, the arm 297 actingon the shaft 291 will cause the arm 302 to be pivoted counterclockwise(FIG. 10) so that the roll 293 is returned to cooperation with thesupporting material web 203 and the feed wheel 171, so that the guide300 is moved into guiding cooperation with the side edge of the web 203,and so that the brake member 283 is moved to its effective position asshown in FIG. 23. Subsequent operation of the actuator 222 will causethe arm 297 to move relative to the shaft 291 but because of the slot296 and arm 297 will have no effect on the shaft 291. Optionally, theslide 288 and the operatively associated components can be returned fromthe position shown in FIGS. 10 and 21 to the position shown in FIG. 23by pushing the projection 288' to the right as viewed in FIG. 10.

From the place where the composite web 203 is paid out of the roll, itpasses over and in contact with a resilient device 310 in the form of acurved leaf spring. The resilient device 310 deflects when the feedwheel 171 is advancing the composite web 203 and after the brake 270 isapplied the device 310 gradually returns an additional web 203 is causedto be paid out of the supply roll. Track structure generally indicatedat 311 includes guide track sections 312, 313 and 314. The track section312 has a forked end 315 which is received by marginal end 316 of anextension 318 of the platen 174. The track section 312 has a shorttubular portion 319 which is received by the post 179. Accordingly, thetrack section 312 is securely held in position relative to the frameplate 155 by the marginal end 215 and by the post 179. After passing incontact with the resilient device 310, the composite web 203 enters afirst zone Z1 above the track structure 312 and below the print head170. The print head 170 carries a roll 320 comprised of a plurality offor example, three rollers 321 rotatably mounted on a shaft 322 mountedon the print head 170. The rollers 321 deflect the composite web 203into contact with the track section 312 as the print head 170 movesbetween its retracted position shown in solid lines in FIG. 10 and theprinting position shown in phantom lines in FIG. 10. The roll 320reduces to a minimum the frictional force which would otherwise exist ifthe composite web 203 would be rubbed by the print head 170. In thatthere are a plurality of rollers 321 there is no tendency to bind on theshaft 322 as if only one long roll (not shown) were provided. From thezone Z1 the composite web 203 passes partly around a roll generallyindicated at 323 which is comprised of a plurality, for example three,rollers 177. The rollers 177 can rotate freely on the post 176. In thata plurality of rollers 177 are provided, there is no tendency of theserollers 177 to bind on the post 176 as if only one long roll (not shown)were provided. After the composite web 203 passes around the roll 323, alabel 207 of the composite web 203 is disposed between the platen 174and the print head 170. FIG. 10 shows one of the labels 207 as beingalmost entirely delaminated from the supporting material web 205 andready to be applied by applicator 173. The applicator 173 is shown tocomprise a roll rotatably mounted on a post 325 secured to the frameplate 155, although other types of applicators can be used instead ifdesired. A removable retainer 326 maintains the applicator 173 on thepost 325. In the loading position shown in FIG. 10, the composite web203 passes partly around an end of the slide 288 and partly around theroll 293 and from there partly around the feed wheel 171. The shaft 178carries a roller 327 (FIG. 8) between the hub 285 and the frame plate155 and a roller 328 disposed between the slide 288 and a retainer 329.When the slide 288 is in the position shown in FIG. 22, for example, theweb 205 is in sliding contact with the end of the slide 288 and inrolling contact with the rollers 327 and 328.

The track section 313 cooperates with the track section 314 to provide adischarge chute at a zone Z2 through which the supporting material web205 exits. The track section 313 has a pair of spaced-apart tubularportions 330 and 331 received respectively by posts 179 and 180. Thetrack section 313 has an integrally formed curved retaining bracket 332which passes partly around a flange 333 of a post 334. Thus, the tracksection 313 is secured to the frame plate 155 and to the housing section152. The track section 313 includes a channel-shaped portion 335 towhich the connector 332 is joined. The track section 314 has an offsetflange 336 which fits into the channel-shaped portion 335 to interlockthe track section 314 with the track section 313. The track section 314also has a curved retaining bracket 337 which extends partly around theflange 333 and has a pair of spaced-apart offset flanges 338 and 339which fit against the outside of the channel-shaped portion 335. Atubular portion 330' secures one end of the track section 314 to theframeplate and the flanges 336, 338 and 339 interlock the track sections313 and 314. The tubular portion 319 is received by the post 179 betweenthe tubular portion 330 and 330'. The track structure 311 also includesa stripper 340 which engages the smooth annular outer surface 171a ofthe feed wheel 171. The stripper 340 is provided with a pair of offsetflanges 341 and 342 which fit respectively into grooves 343 and 344 inthe track section 313. The post 179 is longer than the combined lengthsof the tubular portions 319, 330 and 330' and thus a projection 345formed integrally with the stripper 340 can fit snugly into the end ofthe tubular portion 331.

As best shown in FIG. 26, the resilient device 310 has a marginal end346 having a pair of holes 347. A connector 348 includes a plate section349, a pair of upstanding aligned members 350 which lie in one plane,and a member 351 which lies in a plane parallel to the plane 350. Eachmember 350 includes a tapered stud 352. The device 310 can be assembledonto the connector 348 by passing the marginal portion 346 between themembers 350 and 351 until the studs 352 are received in the holes 347;the marginal end 346 flexes slightly to allow this to happen. The member351 retains the spring device 310 in the assembled position relative tothe connector. The connector 348 is received in an undercut recess 353in the track section 312 as shown in FIG. 10. The housing is shown tohave an opening 354 (FIG. 10) having relatively sharp external edges 355and 356 which can serve as cutting edges for removing the excess web205. The knife 355 can cut the web 205 by drawing the web 205 upwardlyand the knife 356 can cut the web by pulling the web downwardly.

The housing section 153 mounts a lock generally indicated at 357 bestshown in FIGS. 24 and 25. The lock 357 includes a slide member 358received in an elongated pocket 359 in the housing section 153. Theslide 358 includes a manually engageable projection 360 for moving theslide 357 against the force of a compression spring 361. The spring 361bears against a flange 362 and the end of the slot 363. The slide 358includes a pair of spaced apart generally parallel flexible resilientarms 364 having respective projections 365 and tapered faces 366. Inassembling the slide 358 onto the housing section 153, the slide ismanually pressed into the slot 363; this causes the arms 364 to yieldresiliently and to return once their projections 365 are against theinside of the housing section 153 as shown in FIG. 25. A block 367disposed between and spaced from the arms 364 has a blind hole 368 forreceiving the other end portion of the spring 361. In its assembledcondition, the spring 361 urges on the block 367 toward end 369 of theslot 363. When the housing section 153 is in the position to be locked,a curved tip or retaining edge 370 of the block 367 is received in anannular recess 371 in the post 179, thereby locking the section 153 inplace. To unlock the lock 357 and remove the housing section 153, theprojection 360 is pushed generally to the left as viewed in FIG. 24,thereby moving the tip 370 out of the recess 371 and compressing thespring 361, and thereupon the section 153 can be unsnapped from theremainder of the housing. When it is desired to replace the housingsection 153, the housing section 153 is positioned so that the flanges164 (FIG. 8) are behind the flange 165 and then the housing section 153is simply snapped into its final locked position. In so doing, themembers 166 snap into recesses 167 and the lock 357 lock automatically.This automatic locking of the lock 357 is feasible because of the camface 372 on the block 367 which cooperates with a chamfered or cam face373 on the post 179. As the housing section 153 is pushed into place thecam face 372 cooperates with the cam face 373 to cause the slide 358 tobe moved generally to the left (FIG. 24) away from end 369 of the slot363. When the housing section 153 is snapped into place, the tip 370moves into alignment with the recess 371, and this allows the entireslide 358 to move generally to the right (FIG. 24) to cause the tip 370to be received in the recess 371, thereby locking the housing section153 in place.

It is conducive to smooth operation of the gear section 227 and the gearsection 229 of the gear 172 to have precise meshing engagement in spiteof manufacturing variations. This is especially true in that the gear172 is mounted by a support 236 secured to the frame plate 155 and theactuator 222 is mounted in the handle 159 of the housing 153 at aconsiderable distance from the axis of the support 236. The eccentric224 has an outer circular cylindrical surface and an eccentric internalbore 376. The pin 223 is received in the bore 376. The housing section154 has a boss 379. A hole generally indicated at 380 extends throughthe housing section 154 and its boss 379. The hole is stepped so as toprovide a shoulder 381. A self-tapping screw 382 passes through the hole380 and is threadably received in an elongated hole 223' in the pin 223.As the screw 382 is tightened, the end of the pin 223 is drawn againstthe shoulder 381 by the head of the screw 382. The housing section 160has a boss 383 with a great number of ridges 384 and grooves 385 as bestshown in FIG. 13. The eccentric 224 has external ridges 386 and grooves387 arranged concentrically with respect to the eccentric hole 223'. Ahole generally indicated at 388 extends through the housing section 160and its boss 383. The hole 388 is of reduced diameter at a shoulder 389.A self-tapping screw 390 bears against the shoulder 389 and is threadedinto the hole 223' in the sleeve 223. It is apparent that by looseningthe screw 382 and removing the housing section 154 and by shifting theeccentric 224 on the sleeve 223 so that the ridges 386 and grooves 387loose contact with the respective grooves 385 and ridges 384, theeccentric 224 can be manually rotated relative to the housing section160 on the sleeve 223 until the eccentric 224 is at the selectedposition and then the eccentric 224 can be shifted back into the hole388 so that its ridges 386 and grooves 387 are again in lockingengagement with respective grooves 385 and ridges 384. In this mannerthe meshing engagement of the gear sections 227 and 229 can be initiallyprecisely adjusted and maintained in adjustment during use. As an aid torotating the eccentric 224 while making the adjustment, the eccentric224 is provided with a knurled section 391 which can be easily grippedby the assembler's fingers.

With reference to FIG. 27 there is shown the delaminator 175. Thedelaminator comprises an injection molded one-piece support 392 having apair of forked end sections 393, a plate-like retainer portion 394, anda channel-shaped end portion 395. The forked portions 393 are receivedin respective cutouts 396 of the platen 174 and the channel-shapedportion 395 is received under a marginal end 297 of the platen 172. Theportion 394 is flexible and resilient so as to enable a projection 398to snap into a hole 398' in the platen 174 as shown in FIG. 10. The hole298' is disposed so that between the places where the printing bands 201contact the platen 174 so that the hole 398' will not interfere with theprinting function. A plurality of small diameter rollers 400, forexample, seven in number, are rotatably mounted on a rod 399. It ispreferred that the diameter of the rollers 400 be as small as possibleso that the supporting material web 205 is caused to undergo a verysharp change in direction. By way of example, not limitation, the outerdiameter of the rollers 400 is about 0.08 inch, the inside diameter isabout 0.05 inch, and the length is about 0.150 inch. The outsidediameter of the shaft 39 is about 0.04 inch. There are a plurality ofrelatively small rollers 400 in that the rollers 400 rotate considerablymore freely than would a roll having a combined length of all therollers 400.

With reference to FIG. 11, ink roll 401 is shown to be rotatably mountedon a post 401' secured to an arm 402. The arm 402 is pivotally mountedon a post 403 secured to the frame plate 155. A tension spring 404 isconnected at one end to an upstanding tab 405 on the arm 402 and itsother end to a post 406 mounted on the frame plate 155. The arm 402 andthe ink roll 173 are shown in one extreme position by solid lines inwhich the print head is in its retracted position and by phantom linesin which the print head 170 is in its extended or printing position. Theshaft 401' extends through an arcuate slot 407 in the frame plate 155.With reference to FIG. 28, the ink roll 401 is shown to comprise a hubgenerally indicated at 408. The hub 408 is shown to include a pair ofhub portions 409 and 410 having respective bores 411 and 412 alignedwith respect to each other. The shaft 401' is shown to be received inthe bores 411 and 412. The hub portion 409 has a reduced-diameter,continuous, annular projection 413 received in a continuous annularsocket 414. The projection 413 has a continuous annular external groove415 and the hub portion 410 has a continuous annular internal bead orprojection 416. The groove 415 is shallow and the mating bead 416 isrelatively small so that the projection 413 can be snap-fitted into thesocket 414 as the flexible resilient material of which the hub portions409 and 410 is composed yields. It is a feature of the invention thatthe head 416 in the socket 414 provides an ink-tight seal so that inkcontained in a porous roll 417 received about the hub 408 cannot seepinto the bores 411 and 412 to cake or gum up which would interfere withthe free rotation of the ink roll 401 on the shaft 401'. The hubportions 409 and 410 have respective annular outwardly extending flanges418. The flanges 418 bear against bearing surfaces 419 at each side ofthe print head 170. The groove 415 and the mating bead 416 obviate theneed for a separate seal member (not shown). A washer 420 is received bythe shaft 401' between the hub section 410 and the frame plate 155. Hubsection 409 has an integrally formed flexible resilient finger orprojection 421 shown to be received in a continuous annular groove 422near the free end of the shaft 401'. As the ink roll 173 is insertedonto the shaft 401', the finger 421 yields and then is received in thegroove 422 to removably hold the roll 401 on the shaft 401'. The hubportion 409 also has an extension 423 and an obstruction 424 in the formof a ridge which extends into alignment with the bores 411 and 412. Theobstruction 424 prevents the ink roll 401 from being inserted onto theshaft 401' in the wrong direction in which event the resilient finger421 would not be able to cooperate with the groove 422 and the ink roll173 might shift off the shaft 401'.

Referring to FIG. 9 there is shown the composite web 203 whichconstitutes an improvement over U.S. Pat. No. 3,783,083. Groups 425 ofbar cuts or slits are provided at longitudinally spaced-apart intervalsalong the length of the composite web 203. Although there are shown tobe two spaced-part groups 425 of cuts disposed between the butt-cuts 206which define the end edges of each label 207, one or more than twogroups 425 can be provided in each label 207, and although the groups425 are shown to be generally centrally located between the end edges ofthe respective labels 207, the group 425 can be at other locations. Eachgroup 425 of cuts is shown to be in a generally T-shaped configurationand to comprise a transversely aligned pair of bar cuts or slits 426L inand preferably through the label material 204 and a transversely alignedpair of bar cuts or slits 426S in the supporting material 205. Therespective pairs of cuts 426L and 426S are separated by respective lands427L and 427S. Longitudinally extending bar cuts or slits 428L and 428Sare shown to extend in and preferably through the label material 204 andthrough supporting material 205 respectively to the respective lands428L and 428S. There are also two longitudinally extending bar cuts orslits 429 which extend in and preferably through the label material 204across each of the butt-cuts 206 into the marginal ends of the labels207. The cuts 429 however extend only through the label material 204.The two cuts 426S and the cut 428S of a group are aligned withrespective two cuts 426L and the cut 428L of the group. When the teeth237 of the feed wheel 171 engage the supporting material 205 at the cuts428S, the portion of the web between the adjacent ends of both cuts 426Sand the cut 428S tears or ruptures to form a hole in the supportingmaterial web 205. A tooth 237 is preferably almost as wide as thecombined length of adjacent cuts 426S and the intervening land 427S sothat a substantial portion of the length of each cut 426S provides adrive face.

In order to load the apparatus 150, the housing section 153 is firstremoved by moving the projection 360 generally to the right (FIG. 8).Next the projection 288' is moved generally to the left as viewed inFIG. 10 to cause brake member 283, roll 293 and guide 300 to move totheir ineffective positions. If there is a spent core 208 on the reel209, then the core 208 is removed manually and a new supply roll ispushed onto the hub 213. The leading end of the composite web 203 ispassed over the resilient device 310 and pushed into the zone Z1 as bestshown in FIG. 10. From there the web 203 is passed around roll 323 andaround the delaminator 175, and from there the web 203 is passed aroundthe end of the slide 288 and under the roll 293. From there the web 203is passed partly around the feed wheel 171 and through the zone Z2. Theentire threading of the composite web 203 just described can beaccomplished without removing any of the labels 207 from the supportingmaterial web 205. Now the print head 170 can be set to print theselected indicia on the label 207 which is registered with the platen174. Upon the first actuation of the actuator 222, the gear 172 causesthe arm 297 to pull slide 288 to the right as viewed in FIG. 10, therebycausing the roll 293 to move into cooperation with the web 203 and thefeed wheel 171, to cause the brake member 283 to move into its effectiveposition as shown in FIG. 23, and to cause the guide 300 to move to itseffective position shown by phantom lines 300PL. In that the firstactuation of the actuator 222 from its initial position drives the gear172 to in turn drive the print head 170 into printing cooperation withthe platen 174, the label 207 at the printing position or zone will beprinted. When the print head 170 is in printing cooperation with theplaten 174, the drive end 269 of the pawl 265 has moved into positionadjacent the next sucessive tooth 253 of the ratchet wheel 252. Uponrelease of the actuator 222, the spring 226 of the assembly 225 willcause the actuator 222 to pivot counterclockwise (FIG. 10) therebycausing the gear 172 and the pawl 265 to move clockwise. This movementof the pawl 265 causes the feed wheel 171 to rotate clockwise. In thatthe feed wheel 171 and the roll 293 are in cooperation the teeth 237will break through the portion of the supporting material 235 betweenthe ends of the bar-cut 428C and the adjacent ends of the bar-cut 426.The teeth 171' engage the drive faces formed by the bar-cuts 426S toadvance the web 203 when the feed wheel 171 is rotated. The cycleoperation is complete when the actuator 222 has returned to its initialposition. During continued operation of the apparatus 150, labels 207are successively delaminated from the supporting material web 205. It isapparent that upon each actuation and release of the actuator 222, theprint head 170 is first moved into printing cooperation with a label 207and thereafter that label is advanced to a position shown in FIG. 10 inwhich the leading label 207 is shown almost entirely delaminated fromthe supporting material web 205. The leading label 207 is thus lightlyadhered to the web 205 at its trailing end until it is applied to anarticle.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 33, a rewinder 440 is shown to include aunitary body 441 having a generally annular portion 442 defining acompartment 443. The body 441 has an inlet portion or inlet 444 with aninlet slit or narrow slot 445. The annular portion 442 is open at itsone side as shown and has a side wall 446 closing off its other side.The inlet 444 has a connector 447 including a pair of notches 448 and449 adjacent flanges 450 and 451. The rewinder 440 is removablyconnected to the apparatus 150 by sliding the connector 447 through theopen end of the opening 354. As the supporting material web 205 passesthrough zone Z2 it enters the inlet slot 445 and winds into a roll asshown in FIG. 33. The inside of the annular portion 442 is provided witha scalloped configuration defined by ridges 335 and intervening grooves336. As the web 205 contacts only the ridges 335 there is very littlefriction between the portion of the web 205 and the ridges 335. Inaddition, the inside of the compartment 443 can be coated with asuitable lubricant such as silicone. Viewing both FIGS. 10 and 33, it isnoted that the web 205 is wound up in the rewinder 440 in the samedirection of curl of the web 205 caused by the web 205 being wound onthe roll R. This facilitates rewinding. The end of the inlet slot 445terminates at a cutting edge or knife 457 by which the portion of theweb 205 in the compartment 443 can be severed from the remainder of theweb 205 simply by reaching into the open side of the compartment 443 andpulling the web 205 against the knife 457.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 34 and 35, a rewinder 460 is shown to includea unitary body 461 having a generally annular portion 462 defining acompartment 463. The body 461 has an inlet portion or inlet 464 with aninlet slit or narrow slot 445. The annular portion 462 has a side wall466 closing off one side. The inlet 464 has a connector 467 identical tothe connector 447. The inside of the annular portion 462 is providedwith a scalloped configuration like that of the rewinder embodiment ofFIGS. 8 and 33. The inlet 464 terminates at a cutting edge or knife 477.A shaft 478 is formed integrally with the wall 466 and rotatably mountsa spool or reel 479. The reel 479 includes a hub 480 integrally joinedto a disc 481. A compression spring 482 received about the shaft 478bears against the side wall 466 and a shoulder 483 inside the hub 480. Ashaft 484, snap-fitted into spaced-apart holders 485, is joined to anannular portion 486. The annular portion 486 seats a flexible resilientO-ring or other suitable frictional drive member 487. The drive member487 is in frictional contact with the disc 481 and the disc 210. Thedrive member 487 contacts a radiused annular portion 488 of the disc 481and the surface of disc 210. The holders 485 have respective annularportions 489 which extend through slightly more than 180° so that theshaft 484 can be snapped into the annular portions 489 or removedtherefrom if desired. A compression spring 490 received about the shaft484 exerts a force on one of the holders 485 and the annular portion486. The force exerted by the spring 490 is greater than the forceexerted by the spring 482 so the drive member 487 is always urged intocontact with the disc 210 and the drive member 487 is always urged intocontact with the disc 481.

A finger 491 is formed integrally with the disc 481 and extendsgenerally parallel to the hub 480. Marginal end 205' of the supportingmaterial web 205 is received between the hub 480 and the finger 491. Theannular portion 486 and the drive member 487 constitutes an idler oridler wheel generally indicated at 492. It is apparent that the reel 209is drivingly coupled to the reel 479. As the apparatus 150 is operatedthe disc 210 turns, thereby driving the idler wheel 492 which in turndrives the reel 479. The purpose of the idler wheel 492 is to cause thereel 479 to rotate in the direction of the natural curl of the web 205on the roll R. In the illustrated embodiment the reel 479 turns in thesame direction as the reel 209.

By way of example, not limitation, the apparatus of the disclosedembodiments is constructed mainly of molded plastics material. The frameplate 55 is preferably composed of steel. The actuator 81, the gear 66and lever 67, the ratchet and feed wheels 65 and 64, a substantialportion of the print head 63, frame sections 52, 53 and 54, the hub 113,and tracks 94 and 95 are composed of a suitable molded plasticsmaterial. With reference to FIG. 7, link 131 and lever 133 are alsocomposed of plastics material. In the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 10through 36, all the components are composed of molded plastics material,except the frame plate 155 and the platen 174 which are preferablycomposed of a rigid metal such as steel, the metal posts 325, 176, 178,179, 180, 181, 291, 273 and 401, the metal support 236, the steel rod orshaft 399, the steel springs 187, 304, 361, 404, 226, 482 and 496, thespring steel resilient device 310, the steel arms 297 and 402, thespring steel clamp 268, the spring steel retainers 301, 326, 329, theflexible resilient applicator 173 and the frictional member 487 composedof rubber, the ball bearing strips 197 and 198, the porous ink roll 417composed of a suitable, porous, rubber, vinyl or rubber-modifiedplastics material, and fasteners 199, 200, 161, 382 and 390. A smallnumber of components of the print head 174 are also constructed ofmetal.

The hand-held apparatus 150 of the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 10 through36 is rugged in construction but is also light weight so that it can beused for extended period of time, namely the apparatus weighs about 1.6pounds without a label supply roll and without the rewinder 440 or 460.The rewinder 440 weighs about 0.08 pounds. In any event the apparatus ofthe various embodiments of the invention is of the type that weightsless than about three pounds and this distinguishes it from bulky orstationary apparatus which are not practical to be hand held andoperated. It is, however, readily apparent that many of the features ofthe invention can also be used in stationary type apparatus. Moreover,it is apparent that certain of the features of the invention are alsoapplicable to apparatus that imprints and dispenses labels, tags or thelike but that does not apply them and that other features of theinvention are also applicable to apparatus that applies labels but whichdoes not print them.

Other embodiments and modifications of this invention will suggestthemselves to those skilled in the art, and all such of these as comewithin the spirit of this invention are included within its scope asbest defined by the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. Apparatus for printing and applying pressure sensitivelabels carried on a web of supporting material, comprising: a frame,means carried by the frame for mounting a supply roll of labels, aplaten and a cooperable print head mounted on the frame, the platenhaving an extension, a delaminator for delaminating printed labels fromthe web, an applicator for applying the printed labels, a toothed feedwheel in contact with the web for drawing the web into printing positionbetween the platen and the print head, means for guiding the web to afirst zone between the print head and the platen, to the deliminator andto the feed wheel, means for stripping the web from the feed wheel andfor guiding the web through a second zone, first and second spaced-apartposts secured to the frame, the guiding means for the first zoneincluding a first guide section connected to the first post and to theextension of the platen, and the stripping and guiding means for thesecond zone including a separate second guide section connected to thefirst and second posts and a separate third guide section interlockedwith second guide section and connected to first and second posts. 2.Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the stripping and guiding meansincludes a stripper interlocked with the third section for stripping theweb from the feed wheel.
 3. Apparatus for printing and applying pressuresensitive labels carried on a web of supporting material, comprising: aframe, means carried by the frame for mounting a supply roll of labels,a platen and a cooperable print head mounted on the frame, the platenhaving an extension, a delaminator for delaminating printed labels fromthe web, an applicator for applying the printed labels, a toothed feedwheel in contact with the web for drawing the web into printing positionbetween the platen and the print head, means for guiding the web to afirst zone between the print head and the platen, to the delaminator andto the feed wheel, means for stripping the web from the feed wheel andfor guiding the web through a second zone, first and second spaced-apartposts secured to the frame, the guiding means for the first zoneincluding a first guide section connected to the first post and to theextension of the platen, the stripping and guiding means for the secondzone including a separate second guide section connected to the firstand second posts, a separate third guide section interlocked with secondguide section and connected to first and second posts, and a resilientdevice connected to one of the sections and contacting the label webdownstream of the place the web is paid out of th supply roll andupstream of the delaminator for assisting the paying out of the webgradually from the supply roll.
 4. Apparatus for printing and applyingpressure sensitive labels carried on a web of supporting material,comprising: a frame, means carried by the frame for mounting a supplyroll of labels, a platen and a cooperable print head mounted on theframe, a delaminator for delaminating printed labels from the web, anapplicator for applying the printed labels, a toothed feed wheel incontact with the web for drawing the web into printing position betweenthe platen and the print head, means for guiding the web to a first zonebetween the print head and the platen, to the delaminator and to thefeed wheel, means for stripping the web from the feed wheel and forguiding the web through a second zone, the guiding means for the firstzone including a first guide section, means for connecting the firstguide section to the platen, and the stripping and guiding means for thesecond zone including separate second and third guide sections, meansfor connecting the first, second and third guide sections to the frame,and means for interlocking the second and third guide sections to eachother.
 5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein the means connectingthe first, second and third guide sections to the frame includes acommon post.
 6. Apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein the strippingand guiding means includes a stripper connected to one of the sectionsfor stripping the supporting material web from the toothed feed wheel.7. Apparatus for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels carriedon a web of supporting material, comprising: a frame, means carried bythe frame for mounting a supply roll of labels, a platen and acooperable print head mounted on the frame, a delaminator fordelaminating printed labels from the web, an applicator for applying theprinted labels, a toothed feed wheel in contact with the web for drawingthe web into printing position between the platen and the print head,means for guiding the web to a first zone between the print head and theplaten, to the delaminator and to the feed wheel, means for strippingthe web from the feed wheel and for guiding the web through a secondzone, the guiding means for the first zone including a first guidesection, means for connecting the first guide section to the platen, theguiding and stripping means for the second zone including separatesecond and third guide sections connected to the frame, means forconnecting the first, second and third guide sections to the frame,means for interlocking the second and third sections with each other,and a resilient device connected to one of the sections and contactingthe label web downstream of the place the web is paid out of the supplyroll and upstream of the delaminator for assisting the paying out of theweb gradually from the supply roll.
 8. Apparatus for printing andapplying pressure sensitive labels carried on a web of supportingmaterial, comprising: a frame including a housing and a rigid metalplate, means carried by the frame for mounting a supply roll of labels,a platen and a cooperable print head mounted on the frame, a delaminatorfor delaminating printed labels from the web, an applicator for applyingthe printed labels, a toothed feed wheel in contact with the web fordrawing the web into printing position between the platen and the printhead, means for guiding the web through a first zone between the printhead and the platen, to the delaminator and to the feed wheel, means forguiding the web through a second zone, and a post secured to the plate,the guiding means for the first zone including a first guide sectionconnected to the post and to the platen, the guiding means for thesecond zone including a separate second guide section connected to thepost and a separate third guide section interlocked with second guidesection.
 9. Apparatus for printing and applying pressure sensitivelabels carried on a web of supporting material, comprising: a housing,means carried by the housing for mounting a supply roll of labels, aplaten and a cooperable print head mounted in the housing, a delaminatorfor delaminating printed labels from the web, an applicator for applyingthe printed labels, a toothed feed wheel in contact with the web fordrawing the web into printing position between the platen and the printhead, means for guiding the web through a first zone between the printhead and the platen, to the delaminator and to the feed wheel, means forguiding the web through a second zone, a post secured to the housing,the guiding means for the first zone including a first guide sectionconnected to the post, and stripping and guiding means for the secondzone including a separate second guide section connected to the post anda separate third guide section connected to the second guide section.10. Apparatus for printing and applying pressure sensitive labelscarried on a web of supporting material, comprising: a housing, meanscarried by the housing for mounting a supply roll of labels, a platenand a cooperable print head mounted in the housing, a delaminator fordelaminating printed labels from the web, an applicator for applying theprinted labels, a toothed feed wheel in contact with the web for drawingthe web into printing position between the platen and the print head,means for guiding the web to a first zone between the print head and theplaten, to the delaminator and to the feed wheel, means for strippingthe web from the feed wheel and for guiding the web through a secondzone, first and second spaced-apart posts secured to the housing, andthe stripping and guiding means for the second zone including a pair ofseparate but closely spaced guide sections connected to the first andsecond posts, the guide sections being disposed to guide the strippedweb to the outside of the housing, and means for interlocking the guidesections with each other, wherein the stripping and guiding meansincludes a separate stripper mounted by one of the guide sections forstripping the web from the feed wheel.
 11. Apparatus for printing andapplying pressure sensitive labels carried on a web of supportingmaterial, comprising: a frame, means carried by the frame for mounting asupply roll of labels, a platen and a cooperable print head mounted onthe frame, a delaminator for delaminating printed labels from the web,an applicator for applying the printed labels, a toothed feed wheel incontact with the web for drawing the web into printing position betweenthe platen and the print head, means for guiding the web to a first zonebetween the print head and the platen, to the delaminator and to thefeed wheel, means for stripping the web from the feed wheel and forguiding the web through a second zone, first and second spaced-apartposts secured to the frame, the stripping and guiding means for thesecond zone including a pair of separate but closely spaced guidesections connected to the first and second posts and interlocked witheach other, and a resilient device connected to one of the sections andcontacting the label web downstream of the place the web is paid out ofthe supply roll and upstream of the delaminator for assisting the payingout of the web gradually from the supply roll.
 12. Apparatus forprinting and applying pressure sensitive labels carried on a web ofsupporting material, comprising: a frame, means carried by the frame formounting a supply roll of labels, a platen and a cooperable print headmounted on the frame, a delaminator for delaminating printed labels fromthe web, an applicator for applying the printed labels, a toothed feedwheel in contact with the web for drawing the web into printing positionbetween the platen and the print head, means for guiding the web to afirst zone between the print head and the platen, to the delaminator andto the feed wheel, means for stripping the web from the feed wheel andfor guiding the web through a second zone, the stripping and guidingmeans for the second zone including a pair of separate closely spacedguide sections, means for connecting the guide sections to the frame,and means for interlocking the guide sections to each other, wherein thestripping and guiding means includes a separate stripper connected toone of the sections for stripping the supporting material web from thetoothed feed wheel.
 13. Apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein themeans for connecting the guuide sections to the frame includes a commonpost.
 14. Apparatus for printing and applying pressure sensitive labelscarried on a web of supporting material, comprising: a frame, meanscarried by the frame for mounting a supply roll of labels, a platen anda cooperable print head mounted on the frame, a delaminator fordelaminating printed labels from the web, an applicator for applying theprinted labels, a toothed feed wheel in contact with the web for drawingthe web into printing position between the platen and the print head,means for guiding the web to a first zone between the print head and theplaten, to the delaminator and to the feed wheel, means for strippingthe web from the feed wheel and for guiding the web through a secondzone, the guiding and stripping means for the second zone including apair of separate but closely spaced guide sections, means for connectingthe guide sections to the frame, means for interlocking the guidesections with each other, and a resilient device connected to one of thesections and contacting the label web downstream of the place the web ispaid out of the supply roll and upstream of the delaminator forassisting the paying out of the web gradually from the supply roll.